Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

[Nucknoilerfan]

I'm looking to buy an older 6hp or 9.9hp 2 stroke for my 12' Aluminum boat. The boat is rated for a maximum 15hp motor but I want something small, cheap and light enough for me to pack around quite effortlessly. The main use will be for lake fishing and trolling flies in British Columbia's interior lakes. I've borrowed a friends 1968 6hp Viking motor that pushed the boat around quite well and trolled down slow enough. The boat didn't plane with this motor but I don't think that this will be a major issue, but I could be wrong. I've never owned a boat and motor before so I really don't know what to stay away from and how to look for a well maintained motor. I'm pretty good mechanically but I'd like to avoid wrenching on a motor while camping when I should be out fishing. Are there any tell tale signs that a motor has not been maintained and how old is too old? I thought a mid 1980's motor would probably fall into my price range. Any advice would be appreciated and if there are any concerns over certain years and manufactures. I'm not totally sold on a 6hp motor and I might still consider a 9.9hp if the weight difference isn't too great. From what I've read on some of the older 9.9hp motors is that all you have to do is change the carb and you'll have a 15hp motor which may be handy on some bigger bodies of water.

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Howdy Fan.<br /><br />First of all, I suggest an engine that will plane your boat. Weather can sneak up on you in the mountains and you might well want to get back to camp in a hurry. A 9.5 or 9.9 would probably fit the ticket. Forget about "converting", it isn't worth the cost or the trouble. If you want a 15, get a 15.<br /><br />Second, your post comes very close to soliciting to buy, which isn't allowed here. iboats sells outboard engines (http://www.boatmotors.com/rebuilt_outboard_motors/) and isn't interested in providing a marketplace for competition.<br /><br />The reason that there are so many small Johnson and Evinrude outboards from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s still in service is simplicity and reliability. You will get more for your money from one of those than from anything else, if you find one that has been well maintained. Parts are still widely available and almost any outboard wrench is very familiar with them.<br /><br />Ebay is a good place to buy one cheap, but sight unseen means risk of buying junk. I think you would be better off buying one locally from a reliable source that will demo it for you. <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

The 9.9 / 15 hp engines generally use the same powerhead and lower units. However, the carbs, tuning, intake, exhaust tuning, and timing are some of the differences. Converting a 9.9 to 15, is usually not worth the time and expense, unless you can do the work yourself and have access to free parts. <br /><br />Since you are buying a used engine, it wouldn't seem to make sense to buy a 9.9, when a 15 will only cost a little bit more.<br />Most 9.9/15 weigh in at 75 pounds (35kg).<br />While the 6 - 8 hp weigh 55-65 pounds. (27kg)<br /><br />As far as brands, avoid brands where parts will be difficult to obtain. Stay away from Sears, Force, Chrysler, and choose a Mercury, Evinrude/Johnson, from the mid 80's.<br />A 2 cylinder model will run smoother.<br />Don't buy an engine without test running it, in water.<br />Check the lower unit for water mixed with the oil, AFTER you run it in water. <br />Check the compression of each cylinder.<br /><br />Since you are unfamiliar with outboards, I suggest you have a knowledable friend, or a mechanic go over the engine for you.<br /><br />There are some very good, clean, and well maintained engines available, for around $300-400 US.<br />Be patient and wait for a good one, don't settle for one in poor condition.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

I guess I have to learn some of the rules on this forum. I'm just fishing for information and I thought this is where people would offer some of the best advice, oops . I totally plan on buying locally since the idea of buying something like this off EBay doesn't appeal to me, especially if it doesn't work out and I have to listen to my Mrs say, "I told you so". Interesting what you say about the older motors still having lots of parts available.It's funny that newer isn't always better. With regards to motor size, I guess too much motor is better than not enough. Thanks for the info, totally appreciated .

 

[Solittle]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

I have a 1975 9.9 on a 13' al skiff & it gets the wife & I up on plane smartly.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

i have a 9.5 1970 motor its a workhorse and runs strong i never had a problem with finding parts for it and i picked up and parts engine for next to nothing and has came in handy.it planes my 12 footer nicely. my boat is rated for a 15 also but i would not want to up 1 on it. might be alittle to much motor and weight. i am pretty happy with my setup i am out to fish and have a nice time on the water not win any races.just remeber that the year of and outboard does not really mean anything. it all depends how well its been taken care of.

 

[RatFish]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

I have a 12' Aluminum boat with a 1985 9.9HP Evinrude that I use for fishing. My 9.9 runs great! It pushes my 12 footer just fine. With 2 people it moves really nice. One person is a blast! It's much more fun than a jet ski. <br /><br />Everybody that replied to your question is right on target. I bought my 9.9 new in 1985 and have taken good care of it. It's like that old lawn mower that just wont die! Very reliable with good maintenance. I pretty much run the motor at 2 speeds... Idle and full throttle and it still runs great. Based on my experience, you can't go wrong with a well maintained small Evinrude outboard from the 80's.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[josip_voyager]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Besides Johnson and Evinrude, you should also consider Yamaha or maybe Tohatsu. My experiences with these two 2 strokes engines are very positive.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

i dont know that you are lookin to do with the boat but if you are lookin to use it on a river or small lake you might wanna look into the 4 strokes alot quieter and no smoke. but there is more moving parts internally

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Is it true that the Honda and Yamaha models use the horsepower rating at the prop? What is the difference power difference in power compared to the other models that rate the horsepower at the motor?

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

I've got a 12' tin also. I use it for fishing exclusively (I have another boat too). It has a 7.5 Evinrude 1954 Fleetwin. The boat planes well. My max hp is 8hp (11 kW). When the 7.5 dies, I'll probably get an 8 hp evinrude or merc. <br /><br />You seem to lean towards a 9.9, I think that would be perfect on your boat.

 

[rbruce63]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Roscoe: Why not a Chrysler motor I still find parts to my 1969 20 HP and the motor is so simple to work on that even the neophyte cand enjoy learning some mechanics?

 

[bcfryer]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

EDIT: Sorry, Ben.<br /><br />Offering items for sale or offering to buy are not allowed here. JB

 

[honda cat]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

the grat lakes angler site has a trading post have seen some good deals on used motors there check it out it is a good site not as good as this one of course bit it deserves a look www.glangler.com

 

[sloopy]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Iboats has some great deals on 9.9 mercs right now! You can also go to a Model RC boat sight and buy a used merc from them (they use them to chase the broken rc boats). Just a little tip I learned from the MacGregor boat list

 

[DJ]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Nucknoilerfan,<br /><br />ALL engines have been rated, at the prop, since 1983.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Djohns, I believe some rated them at the prop long before 1983. That's what I've been told.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

1985 is when the standard was adopted and enforced, so to speak.<br />Yamaha actually introduced the 115 in 83' I believe, and it didn't take long for others to follow suit.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

Djohns19, I apologize, I just found some of my paper work and bullitens of days gone by, and 1993 WAS the instatement of standards for propshaft HP.....sorry!

 

[one more cast]

Re: Newbie looking for a motor for 12' Aluminum

I upgraded from a 5hp sea-king (OMC) to a 15hp johnson on my 12 foot alum. It used to take me 20 minutes to get upriver to my fishing hole and now I can get there in 7. And it will idle all day long with no problem.